Explaining a concept is difficult when the absence of most things is what gives the illusion of the concept. How do you explain such a feeling.!? What I am about to try to explain I believe many hikers have bestowed the same level of enlightenment or fondness for life. When I was 20 years old I started my first epic solo journey of hiking the Appalachian trail (AT). I walked through 14 states from GA to ME along the ridge line of the Appalachian trail. When making road crossing or pit-stops in towns and communities a few questions from people seemed to come up most often. They asked what is it like? What is your favorite part?
Answering this question was difficult, because there were so many favorite parts for so many different reasons and a plethora of difference experiences. Along the 7 month journey walking over 2000 miles my journal was plumb full. So explaining the ins and outs to these questions would be very lengthy, but I am going to narrow it down here to holistic nature of what the hiker high is and how chancing that feeling is like a well you never want to go dry.
While preparing for the Appalachian trail hike I did one 7-8 day hike in the smokey mountains. A lot of planning went into this short hike and the duration was to short to fully engulf the hiker high, but I did learn a new appreciation for big fat greasy burgers during that hike.
When I was preparing my 7 month hike for the Appalachian trail I made 20 boxes of food for mail drops approximately 100 miles apart along the Appalachian trail with an ETA (estimated arrival time). Every 1-2 weeks I would take a short detour off the AT and pick up my mail drop often making it back into the woods a couple hours later with 2 weeks supply of food.
This seven month journey I hardly had any cares in the world. My life was simple. Everything I owned was being carried on my back. The main stress I had was my need to survival in the wilderness. The more time I spent on the AT also called the green tunnel the more often I was comfortable with the journey to Katahdin ME, which is the end of the AT.
Living in the elements enduring three seasons I learned to appreciate things in life much differently. In a way I lost everything in order to gain it all. Feeling uncomfortable in the wilderness gave me a deeper appreciation for things that are comfortable. With less interacts with humans I learned to appreciate these interactions much more, and my ability to be present in a conversation was much more coherent. I was no longer easily distracted when listening to others. The way I viewed interactions was like a substantial gift instead of a cumbersome inconvenience. The silent nature of the wilderness was also something I learned to cherish as life on life terms back in society was anything but quite. This form of the hiker high S
What is it like on the green tunnel aka AT was difficult and challenging, but made my view on the normal society life perspective viewed from a slightly different angle. It gave me a breath of life. It gave me an escape from convolution. It enhanced my ability to survive. The hiker high has to be one of the best parts. When little things give you the optimal feeling with joy and your burden in life is minimizes. Your hiker high is just like the ridge line it has its ups and downs, but the journey is always worth seeking your next local maximum.
